MINE READER

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Minnesota mining wages and job growth outpace other industries

Minnesotas mining industry has provided thousands of jobs for 130 years, fueling the economy of Northeastern Minnesota, supporting families and contributing to community growth. Minings economic legacy continues in Northeastern Minnesota today. and Economic Development, there was an average of 4,245 direct mining jobs in 2011, an increase of nearly 11 percent from 2010. According to a study conducted by the University of MinnesotaDuluth, when currently proposed strategic metals mining projects become operational, like the Twin Metals Minnesota project, more than 5,000 additional long-term mining jobs will be created, along with thousands more new manufacturing sector and other spin-off jobs. No other sector of Minnesotas economy offers such promise for long-term job growth. The Twin Metals Minnesota project will create thousands of construction jobs and, when operational, hundreds, if not thousands, of permanent, well-paying jobs for Minnesotans for up to a century. The scope of jobs will be broad, including geologists, engineers, carpenters, truck drivers, miners and mechanics. Though in early stages of project development, Twin Metals Minnesota is already having a positive impact on jobs and the economy of Northeast Minnesota. To date, Twin Metals Minnesota has invested more than $150 million in exploration and project development activities, supporting more than 150 direct and consultant/contractor jobs.

state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for a Minnesota mining job is $72,365, more than $25,000 above the all-industries average. Mining offers living wages that can support a family, sustain communities and drive economic growth. Mining industry jobs are growing despite current economic uncertainty and high unemployment in other sectors. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment

For more information on mining wages and jobs visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development at www.positivelyminnesota.com.

For more information on Twin Metals Minnesotas project, please visit www.twin-metals.com.
The Twin Metals Minnesota Mine Reader is a biweekly source of information about its proposed underground copper, nickel, platinum, palladium and gold (strategic metals) mining project in Northern Minnesota.

If you have a question about the project, please submit it to info@twin-metals.com. Thank you for your interest.